MacLarty makes case for Commonwealth spot

IN HER first race since dropping out of the European Cross Country Championship Trials in December, Morag MacLarty outran fellow Commmonwealth Games middle-distance contender Claire Gibson in a first-leg battle at the Scottish Road Relay Championships at Livingston.

MacLarty covered the 5k stage in 17:09, 11 seconds clear of Gibson, whose Kilbarchan club beat Edinburgh AC for the title in 1:45.28, with Central third.

Al Hay was third in the long stage in the men's six-stage race, hauling Central into second behind Shettleston.